The Olympic Torch was carried close to the Korean Demilitarized Zone on bikes as part of a symbolic gesture ©Pyeongchang 2018

The Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Torch has passed within seven kilometres of Panmunjom, the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at the border with North Korea at the launch of a special leg to promote peace. 

This is the fifth and final special theme of this Torch Relay and it comes at a significant time when North Korea has indicated its willingness to take part at Pyeongchang 2018. 

Whether or not it is an omen, the Relay was held in glorious winter sunshine.

The bearers and their escorts all carried the flame by bicycle as it continued its journey towards Pyeongchang and the Opening Ceremony on February 9. 

Kim Chang Wan, a rock singer actor and television presenter, rode across the the "unification"’ bridge at the DMZ alongside soldier Chung Yo Sung, with an escort of some 600 support riders.

The use of the cycles was intended to be symbolic .

"Both wheels on a bicycle must move at the same time in order to move forward. In a way the two wheels of a bicycle are like Korea divided into North and South," said Pyeongchang 2018.

In the South they call Paju the gateway to re-unification.

Former Canadian solider Claude Charland, who fought in the Korean War in 1952, was given the honour of carrying the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Torch ©Pyeongchang 2018
Former Canadian solider Claude Charland, who fought in the Korean War in 1952, was given the honour of carrying the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Torch ©Pyeongchang 2018

The Relay visited the Mangbaeden monument, an altar where families divided in the aftermath of the Korean War gather to offer prayers.

There was also a special open air ice hockey match at the Yulgok Wetland Park in Imjin as part of the festivities.

Known as the "’Imjin Classic", and organised in conjunction with the Canadian Embassy, it commemorated a match played by Canadian troops on the frozen river during the Korean War in the winter of 1952.

One of the original players in the match was former soldier Claude Charland. 

He was serving in the 22e Royal Regiment, nicknamed the "Vandoos"' carried the flame alongside Eric Walsh, Canadian Ambassador to South Korea.

"This is a tribute to the Canadian soldiers who played hockey on the frozen Imjin river during the Korean War," said Walsh.

"As we remember our soldiers’ contribution to the peaceful and prosperous country South Korea has become, we look forward to the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic and Paralympic Games."

A reenactment of an ice hockey match played by Canadian troops during the Korean War was one of the special events staged to mark the Olympic Torch passing close to the Korean Demilitarized Zone ©Pyeognchang 2018
A reenactment of an ice hockey match played by Canadian troops during the Korean War was one of the special events staged to mark the Olympic Torch passing close to the Korean Demilitarized Zone ©Pyeognchang 2018

The re-enactment match featured a Canadian team which drew players from the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the Vandoos the two regiments which had participated in the impromptu match on the river. 

They were bolstered by Canadians now living in Korea and faced a local team drawn from the Yonsei and Korea Universities.

In the next week, the Torch Relay will travel 221 kilometres to the unification observatory at Goseong from where it is possible to view the mountains of the North. 

In another symbolic gesture, there will be 2,018 participants although only 300 will actually carry the flame.

From the very outset this peace leg was part of the schedule of the 101 day journey across South Korea . 

What is remarkable is that it coincides almost exactly with the summit in Lausanne tomorrow where International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach will thrash out the details of the participation of North Korea at Pyeongchang 2018 with both sides.